Your graduation photos will hang on walls, sit on mantels, and fill social media feeds for years to come. What you wear in those portraits matters more than you might think. After photographing hundreds of graduates across Hampton Roads over 14 years, I have seen firsthand how the right wardrobe choices elevate portraits from good to extraordinary. This guide covers everything from cap-and-gown essentials to creative outfit changes that tell your complete story.
The best graduation portraits are not just about the cap and gown. They capture who you are at this moment in your life: the student, the professional-in-training, the Greek organization member, the athlete, the artist, the military service member. Each identity deserves an outfit, and together, they create a portrait collection that is as multidimensional as you are.
Cap and Gown Essentials: Getting the Basics Right
Every graduation session starts with the cap and gown, and getting these foundational shots right sets the tone for the entire session. Here is how to make sure your regalia looks its best on camera.
Proper Gown Draping
A graduation gown is not the most flattering garment on its own, but proper draping makes all the difference. Before your session, take the gown out of the packaging at least two days early and hang it in your bathroom while you shower. The steam will release most wrinkles without needing an iron. If wrinkles persist, use a garment steamer on low heat. Never use a hot iron directly on a graduation gown, as the synthetic fabric can melt or develop shiny patches.
During the session, I will help you position the gown so it drapes cleanly. For the most flattering look, the gown should hang straight from the shoulders without bunching at the waist. If your gown is too long, we can pin it discreetly in the back. If it is too short, we will angle the camera to minimize the hemline.
Tassel Placement
The tassel starts on the right side of the cap and moves to the left after you have officially graduated. For pre-graduation portraits, keep it on the right. For post-graduation celebration shots, move it to the left. If you want photos with both placements, we can easily shoot both during the session. The tassel should hang at about temple level on the side of the cap, not directly in front of your face.
Honor Cords and Stoles
If you earned honor cords, organizational stoles, or cultural stoles, wear them proudly. Layer them neatly over the gown with the longest items closest to your body and shorter items on top so everything is visible. If you have multiple stoles, we will photograph you with all of them on for the "full regalia" shot and then do individual shots highlighting each one. Bring every cord and stole you have earned. You worked for them, and they deserve to be in your portraits.
Beyond the Gown: Planning Your Outfit Changes
I recommend planning two to three outfit changes for your graduation session. The cap and gown is always the first look, but the outfits you wear underneath and change into afterward are what make your gallery truly personal.
Outfit Category 1: Casual and Personal
This is the outfit that feels most like "you." It could be jeans and your favorite jacket, a stylish streetwear look, or a simple dress that makes you feel confident. The casual outfit captures your everyday personality, the version of you that your friends see. It grounds your gallery and provides contrast to the formality of the cap and gown.
Tips for casual outfits:
- Choose clothing that fits well and feels comfortable
- Solid colors photograph better than busy patterns
- Avoid clothing with large visible logos or brand names
- Sneakers, boots, or sandals are all fine depending on your style
- A well-fitting pair of jeans with a solid-color top is always a safe, classic choice
Outfit Category 2: Professional or Career
This outfit represents where you are headed. A nursing graduate might wear scrubs and a stethoscope. A business major might wear a tailored blazer. A future teacher might hold a stack of books. A criminal justice graduate might pose in professional attire with a badge or briefcase. This forward-looking outfit connects your degree to your ambition and creates powerful composite material.
Tips for professional outfits:
- Make sure everything is clean, pressed, and fits properly
- Bring any career-specific props (stethoscope, hard hat, portfolio, badge)
- Choose colors that complement your skin tone
- Tailored fits always photograph better than boxy or oversized clothing
Outfit Category 3: Cultural, Greek Life, or Military
This outfit represents your identity beyond academics. For Greek organization members, this means your letters, line jacket, or organizational colors. For military-affiliated graduates or ROTC members, this means your dress uniform. For graduates honoring their cultural heritage, this might mean traditional clothing, African-inspired garments, or family heirloom pieces. These outfits carry deep personal meaning and often produce the most emotionally powerful portraits of the session.
Tips for cultural and organizational outfits:
- Greek paraphernalia: Bring letters, paddles, jackets, and anything meaningful to your chapter
- Military uniforms: Ensure all insignia, medals, and accessories are properly placed per regulations
- Cultural garments: Iron or steam them in advance and bring any accessories (jewelry, head wraps, family pieces)
- Bring extra items even if you are unsure whether to use them. It is better to have options
Color Coordination Tips: What Photographs Best
Color choices affect how your portraits look more than most people realize. The right colors can make your skin glow, your eyes pop, and your cap and gown look more polished. The wrong colors can wash you out or compete with your regalia.
Colors that photograph well for graduation portraits:
- Rich jewel tones: Emerald, sapphire, burgundy, deep purple, ruby
- Classic neutrals: Black, navy, charcoal gray, cream, tan, white
- Earth tones: Terracotta, olive, rust, sage, camel
- Warm pastels: Blush pink, soft lavender, dusty rose
Colors to avoid or use carefully:
- Neon or fluorescent colors: They cast unflattering color onto your skin and look harsh on camera
- All white outdoors: Can blow out in bright sun and lose detail
- Yellow: Difficult to photograph and can make skin look sallow depending on the light
- Colors that match your gown exactly: You want contrast, not camouflage
Pro tip: If you are unsure about a color, hold the garment up to your face in natural light (near a window) and see if your skin looks healthy and vibrant. If it does, it will photograph well.
Accessory Guide: The Details That Matter
Accessories are the finishing touches that can elevate your graduation portraits from standard to stunning. Here is what to bring and how to use it.
Class Rings
If you have a class ring, wear it. We will capture close-up detail shots of your hand on your diploma, your ring catching the light, and your ring alongside your tassel. These detail shots are favorites among parents and grandparents.
Honor Cords and Stoles
Bring every cord and stole you have earned. We discussed this in the cap-and-gown section, but it bears repeating: do not leave any behind. Even if you think you have "too many," we will find ways to showcase them all beautifully.
Greek Letters and Paraphernalia
If you are a member of a Greek-letter organization, bring your letters, line jacket, paddle, and any meaningful paraphernalia. These items are part of your story, and they photograph beautifully when incorporated intentionally.
Diploma and Diploma Cover
Bring your diploma cover even if you do not have the actual diploma yet. Many graduates receive their diplomas weeks after the ceremony, so the cover serves as a perfect prop. If you do have the actual diploma, bring both. We will use the cover for casual shots and the real diploma for close-ups.
Props That Tell Your Story
Consider bringing items that represent your journey: a stethoscope for nursing graduates, a gavel for law graduates, art supplies for art majors, a basketball for student-athletes, or a flag representing your heritage. One or two meaningful props can transform a portrait from generic to deeply personal.
What to Avoid: Common Wardrobe Mistakes
After 14 years of photographing graduates, these are the wardrobe mistakes I see most frequently:
- Wrinkled gowns: This is the number one mistake. Take your gown out of the package early and steam it
- Visible logos and brand names: A Nike swoosh or Gucci belt buckle distracts the eye and dates the photo
- Overly revealing clothing under the gown: When the gown opens during movement, whatever is underneath shows. Wear something you would be comfortable with your grandmother seeing
- Uncomfortable shoes: You will be standing, walking, and posing for at least an hour. Bring comfortable options
- Clothes that do not fit: Too tight means you will be tugging and fidgeting. Too loose means you look smaller than you are. Proper fit is essential
- Forgetting an outfit for under the gown: Some graduates show up in pajamas under their gown, thinking we will only shoot the gown. Always wear a complete outfit underneath
Composite-Specific Wardrobe Advice
If you are booking a composite portrait session, your wardrobe planning becomes even more important because each outfit will appear in the final artwork. Plan your outfits to tell a cohesive story with visual variety.
For composites, think in terms of contrast:
- One formal outfit (cap and gown)
- One career or aspirational outfit (scrubs, suit, uniform)
- One personal or cultural outfit (Greek letters, heritage clothing, casual style)
Each outfit should be visually distinct so they create clear separation in the composite. If all three outfits are dark-colored, the composite can look muddy. Mix light and dark, formal and casual, structured and relaxed. The variety is what makes composite portraits so dynamic and eye-catching.
Tips for Group and Family Coordination
If family members or friends will join part of your graduation session, coordinate outfits in advance. The goal is a cohesive color palette, not identical clothing.
- Choose 2-3 colors and have everyone wear something within that palette
- Avoid matching exactly: A family in identical white shirts looks like a corporate headshot, not a graduation celebration
- Consider the graduate's gown color: Family outfits should complement, not clash with, the gown
- Keep it simple: Solid colors, minimal patterns, and clean lines photograph best in groups
- Comfort matters for everyone: If mom is uncomfortable in heels or dad is sweating in a suit, it will show in the photos
Season-Specific Advice for Hampton Roads Graduates
Most Hampton Roads graduations happen in May and June, which means heat and humidity are real factors in your wardrobe planning.
May Graduation Tips:
- Wear breathable fabrics under your gown (it traps heat like a blanket)
- Choose lightweight outfit changes that will not make you sweat through them
- Bring a small towel and blotting papers for touch-ups between outfit changes
- Schedule your session for early morning (before 9 AM) or golden hour (after 6 PM) to avoid peak heat
- Avoid heavy makeup that will melt. Use setting spray generously
- Stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle and drink between setups
If you are booking a fall or winter session (perhaps you graduated in December or want portraits during a less crowded time), you have more flexibility with layers, heavier fabrics, and richer textures. Our Suffolk studio is climate-controlled year-round, so studio sessions are comfortable regardless of the season.
Related Graduation Resources
- Graduation Photography Services at Motiontography
- What Are Graduation Composite Portraits? A Complete Guide
- Graduation Photography Timeline: When to Book Your Session
- Best Graduation Photo Locations in Hampton Roads
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Last updated: February 2026